It was at moments like these where Tysone remembered the greatest effect the core has had on him.
A true refill.
After an orgasm, most males would feel drained, tired, sleepy; however, thanks to his ability, the only feeling left for him was a strong surge of vigor, similar to what he felt during his high-endurance training.
As if he could run a mile barefoot, unarmed and naked with the corpse of those wolf-like creatures tied to his back. He figured that the more he climbed the evolutionary ladder, the more his stamina would grow, on top of every other attribute. It's not like those powers were made exclusively to fuck every single girl available.
At the end of the day, evolution was about survival and strength.
"The others will be relieved to hear. Everyone's been worried. It's hard to believe you managed to cook yourself with your new powers. If anything, it seems to have made you even hotter."
He snorted, letting a small laughter escape his lips. He pat the fat teenager on the shoulder and gave him a proud smirk. "Let's not test it further. So...how's the situation here looking?"
Kohta brightened at the subject, the outside light glinting off his glasses as he pushed them back in their proper place with a quick nudge of his index finger. "Mhm! You're looking at a genius engineer right now! We've finished relocating the stuff we brought over from the city into the basement."
"Good work. I wished I could've helped more."
"No no, boss!" Kohta protested, flabbergasted. "You did more than enough already, haha... leave this kind of work to us!" And then he puffed up his chest.
Tysone couldn't help but smirk a little. Lately, he didn't have much time to have one-on-one conversations with his male companions. Not that he disliked being surrounded by hot ladies all the time, though, of course. But it would've been a bit nice to chat and make some boy time with his guy friends.
But if there's one person here he had a greater bond with, it'd be Kohta. The cheery and energetic otaku was an easy target for the entire mansion; but with his unique intelligence, sense of self and talent, he was one of the most useful members in the group.
"So, how are things with that police officer?" Tysone threw the question casually, trying to catch him off-guard.
And, indeed, for the inexperienced Kohta, that came like a ton of bricks. He stumbled over a few words before regaining his balance and managing to spit out: "A-Ahahaha... w-what do you mean?" He rubbed the back of his head, quite aggressively too.
Tysone found it amusing how Kotha could easily switch between this wobbling blob of awkwardness and innocence to a precise sharp-minded operator on a mission. The King of Destruction, as he always claimed to be.
"C'mon... I've seen you look at her. You must be excited."
Asami Nakaoka was quite a pretty woman, just like how every woman they came across. A good figure. A righteous attitude and a sincere heart. She had the cute factor with a small hint of big-sis aura as well, that worked wonders.
All of that would be an eye-candy for anyone, let alone a young, desperate hormonal teen such as Kohta.
"You've noticed?! Don't say anything to the others, or else they'll make fun of me again!" Kohta had a serious, pleading expression and it looked like it could turn tearful soon.
Tysone rolled his eyes, chuckling. He'd always seen Kohta as a younger brother of sorts. A younger brother he could share many 'tips' with. And perhaps also nudge the chubby marksman in the right direction with his crush. "Come on, who would make fun of you over this? That's not really something embarrassing, y'know? Look around, buddy. Plenty of couples around. It's completely normal, I mean, look at me."
Kohta sighed, lowering his gaze. "Hahaha, I'm not the same level as you, my liege, everyone looks at you as the only man capable of... getting it done."
Getting it done.
Tysone frowned. Yes, he was the strongest, and the de facto leader of this group, but everyone also pulled their own weight and played an important role in their community. Those who cook and take care of the mansion in his absence. Those who can heal, strategize, plan, fix things and create them.
Everyone was the same.
Just because Tysone was, individually, the strongest didn't mean that he was irreplaceable. Even without him, he knew that they'd be able to pull through.
Tysone playfully smacked the back of Kohta's head. "Don't say that, idiot. Everyone does something that can't be done without. Nobody's more important, alright? I can be the strongest, the leader, the field general, but what I do out there wouldn't get done if the food, the ammo, the weapons, the Mule aren't in place. No matter how much power you have, having no purpose for that power, and failing at those purposes, will always be worse than having power but no purpose for that. Your role here is as important as Saya's or mine. Copy?"
"Y-Yessir..."
"Anyway, that girl also seems to be interested in you, so I'd strike while the iron is hot." Tysone shrugged as they slowly began to walk towards the mansion's main doors. "In this world, you never know what may happen tomorrow. Seize the day. Enjoy life. Confess to the person that has caught your eye, ya dumb otaku. She won't wait for you."
And she might just be gone, one day, from the living world.
"Jeez..." Kohta adjusted his glasses again, coughing softly. "Do you really think I have a chance?"
"You'll never know if you don't try. Besides, it's obvious that she's interested, though probably hasn't realized it herself yet."
"Easier said than done, hahaha..." He sighed, scratching his cheek. Though there was a visible sense of anticipation within Kohta. "If there's the smallest sliver of hope, though, I won't give up. For me, the sexy big sis of the station is worth fighting for! Like a shonen manga protagonist!"
"I'll be right behind ya."
"Yes! The boss shall assist the King of Destruction in his journey of love and sincerity!" He practically glittered.
Tysone snorted in amusement.
...
Kohta led Tysone outside to the back garden.
"We've started fixing the Apocalypse Mule, hehe!" Kohta said.
"Without me?" Tysone had an uncharacteristic pout on his lips.
Kohta winced apologetically. "S-Sorry, couldn't help myself! Besides, we've got a new pair of helping hands!"
Tysone raised his eyebrows. "Who?"
"Kenji-san! He's actually brilliant! He's apparently a mechanical eningeer before all this!" Kohta exclaimed, the pride and respect he felt for his helper making him excited.
A retired mechanic was exactly the sort of specialist they needed to really sort out and fine-tune their weaponry, afterall, without it, there'd always been a risk they'd just explode midway through battle or just not work well enough. Tysone knew his way around; he'd learned all sorts of things before the apocalypse. And Kohta was... well, Kohta. An unhinged genius with an over encumbered brain that couldn't hold down his desire for destructive power.
Tysone could only imagine what the three of them could do, when focused on a singular target.
Kohta silently chuckled; a clear sign that, yes, he'd been thinking along the same lines. He rubbed his palms together in a villainous fashion. "All the destructive ideas of my king combined with the genius mechanic...hehe! Soon we'll rule the world, haha!"
Kohta skipped merrily down the lawn to where the modified truck sat proudly. The vehicle had definitely taken a beating over the past few days. Several criss-crossing scrapes marked its paint, and the fenders on the driver's side had gotten dented to shit. The truck looked like the Mafia had dragged it through a garbage compactor.
But it was still alive.
The most important bits had survived.
"Let's see how bad we've busted it, yeah?"
Tysone said, clapping his hands. He slowly went to take off his shirt. His new body, that of a hunter, rippled with muscle.
Kohta tilted his head to one side and tapped his chin, regarding Tysone curiously. Then, in true spirit of burgeoning man in love, he also removed his shirt, exposing his lard-like flesh.
"Copying me, huh." Tysone said to himself, shaking his head with a snicker. "We're going to get dirty."
"Damn right~"
Kohta's glasses flashed again. Tysone was also slightly excited. He enjoyed working on the Mule. As much as Kohta obsessed over gunpower and the efficiency of firepower, there's no denying that this work also pumped the thrill of raw destruction.
"Oooh, you're already here?" A mature voice emerged from behind them. Kenji strolled over. This middle aged man wore an amiable and slightly anticipating smile on his face. Tysone guessed that proving one's worth and being accepted is a huge psychological matter.
"Kenji-san." Tysone and Kohta both greeted politely.
"Good morning." Kenji's smile remained fixed. "Hmm, I thought you'd still be recovering, are you sure you're okay to handle repairs?"
"A scratch like that?" Tysone smirked, his teeth a blinding white contrast against his dark skin.
"Let's go crazy! No rest for the wicked! The King of Destruction can't afford to sleep, not even on Sundays!"
Kohta blurted in sheer excitement, making Kenji laugh in agreement.
Author's Note:
If you're enjoying the story and want to read ahead or support my work, you can check out my P@treon at [email protected]/LordCampione. But don't worry—all chapters will eventually be public. Just being here and reading means the world to me. Thank you for your time and support.